PharmD and then vet?

[misstofu]

Hi everyone,

I just recently realized that I have a great compassion for pets, but have never thoughts of becoming a vet before, but it would be a great choice to consider since i love pets so much and I really want to give them a great quality care like how i am doing with my many patients.

I will get my PharmD degree by the summer of 2010, currently a pharm student.

I'm wondering what does it take to be a vet? such as education? degree? years of school? etc, can someone please help with these info?

And suppose, I don't have my BS before applying to pharmacy school, then is it okay to apply straight to vet school with a doctor degree in pharmacy?

Thanks so much
Tofu

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[Backwoods Boy]

Well, a DVM requires a minimum of 4 years of vet school. With less than 30 vet schools that are AVMA accredited, admissions are EXTREMELY competetive. No bachelors is required to get into vet school although it is usually the case.

One of the biggest things you would need is experience. Not just owning a dog or a cat. You'd need experience working with a vet.

 

[jpeterman13]

Well, a DVM requires a minimum of 4 years of vet school. With less than 30 vet schools that are AVMA accredited, admissions are EXTREMELY competetive. No bachelors is required to get into vet school although it is usually the case.

One of the biggest things you would need is experience. Not just owning a dog or a cat. You'd need experience working with a vet.

In addition, you need to complete the pre-reqs (which might be similar to those that you needed for pharm.) and you need to take the GRE. You don't need a degree, but one always helps. But I agree with backwards boy on the fact that you need some experience. The profession is very different than it may seem on the outside; very sad sometimes, low pay generally, pretty much different than pharm. make sure you know what you're getting into! it takes more than a love of animals to be a vet, if that's all it took every other person would be a vet. Most schools don;t even want you to mention having your own dog or cat...I guess that's assumed, although i do think that it's important. But if you are still commited after the experience and stuff, go for it! It takes a lot fo research to actually get a plan formulated.

 

[david594]

You could try looking for a job as a pharmacist at a veterinary hospital after you graduate. The positions are out there and it would give you some exposure to the veterinary field before you jump too far into it. Then decide from there where you want to go with you future career choices.

 

[frozen_canadian]

You could try looking for a job as a pharmacist at a veterinary hospital after you graduate. [ QUOTE]

Just wanted to say that this is excellent advice. The pharmacist at my vet school did this - thought he wanted to be a vet so got a job in the vet school pharmacy. After a few months he realized he makes a lot more money and works far fewer hours than most of the clinicians, with a lot less stress. Needless to say he never went to vet school....